Familial Ovarian Cancer Clusters with Other Cancers

Sci Rep. 2018 Aug 1;8(1):11561. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-29888-4.

Abstract

Familial risk of ovarian cancer is well-established but whether ovarian cancer clusters with other cancers and the clusters differ by histology remains uncertain. Using data from the Swedish Family-Cancer Database, we explored familial associations of ovarian cancer with other cancers with a novel approach; relative risk for (histology-specific) ovarian cancer was estimated in families with patients affected by other cancers, and conversely, risks for other cancers in families with (histology-specific) ovarian cancer patients. Eight discordant cancers were associated with ovarian cancer risk, of which family history of breast cancer showed a dose-response (P-trend <0.0001). Conversely, risks of eight types of cancer increased in families with ovarian cancer patients, and dose-responses were shown for risks of liver (P-trend = 0.0083) and breast cancers (P-trend <0.0001) and cancer of unknown primary (P-trend = 0.0157). Some cancers were only associated with histology-specific ovarian cancers, e.g. endometrial cancer was only associated with endometrioid type but with highest significance. Novel associations with virus-linked cancers of the nose and male and female genitals were found. The results suggest that ovarian cancer shares susceptibility with a number of other cancers. This might alert genetic counselors and challenge approaches for gene and gene-environment identification.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / complications*
  • Breast Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / complications
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / epidemiology
  • Female
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease*
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / complications*
  • Liver Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Middle Aged
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / complications*
  • Ovarian Neoplasms / epidemiology*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Sweden / epidemiology